Zohak

Zohak formed in Tehran, Iran, with Shayan Hassanpour on vocals, Saeed Mohammadi on guitars, Amirreza Shafiee on bass, and Arash Ilkhani on drums. Their early performances faced censorship from authorities who considered their music too dark. They released albums like 'Genesis' in 2004 and 'Absolute Darkness' in 2010, which included the title track and songs such as 'Anguish and Loneliness' and 'My Own Hell'.

In 2017, the band was arrested after an unauthorized concert in Iran, drawing international attention to artists working under repressive conditions. They've also recorded a cover of Sepultura's 'Troops of Doom'.

Zohak's sound combines heavy riffs with atmospheric keyboards and Hassanpour's distinctive vocals. Their work has found an audience in the underground metal scene, particularly in the Middle East, where they've been noted for their persistence despite political challenges.